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Document and Entity Information
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Document Information [Line Items]  
Document Type 20-F
Amendment Flag false
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY
Trading Symbol BLX
Entity Registrant Name FOREIGN TRADE BANK OF LATIN AMERICA, INC.
Entity Central Index Key 0000890541
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer No
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer
Class A common stock
  
Document Information [Line Items]  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding 6,342,189
Class B common stock
  
Document Information [Line Items]  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding 2,531,926
Class E common stock
  
Document Information [Line Items]  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding 28,257,827
Class F Common Stock
  
Document Information [Line Items]  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding 0